Doug Pierce, third generation owner of Pierce Country Day Camp in Roslyn, died Wednesday at the age of 70. The family did not release the cause of death but said he died peaceful during his sleep.

He is survived by his wife Marie Pierce and their three children, including his youngest daughter, Courtney Pierce-Philippou, who is an owner and director of the camp.

“It is with heavy hearts that we want to inform our camp community that our beloved grandfather, father, brother, uncle and Big Chief, Doug Pierce passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep yesterday,” the Pierce Country Day Camp posted on Facebook Thursday.

Pierce was the owner and director emeritus of the renowned day camp for over 30 years, a generational family-owned business that was started by his grandfather, Forrester Pierce, in 1918.

Pierce graduated from Hofstra University. He continued his family’s legacy in the day camp business and became “a stalwart of the New York State camping community” in furthering the cause, according to the camp’s website.

“It gives us great comfort to know Doug’s legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of the countless lives he touched in our community,” the Facebook post says.

He previously served as the president of the American Camp Association – NY Section, the Long Island Association of Private Schools and Day Camps, the New York State Camp Director’s Association and Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education.

“Doug was not only the leader of our family, but a leader in camping and our community,” the post says. “He served as president of more organizations than can be named here, but was most proud to be a founder of SCOPE to help as many children experience the magic of camp as possible.”

He was awarded the Distinguished National Service Award from the American Camp Association for his contributions to the field of summer camping and was named a Legend of Camping.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Pierce’s favorite organization, SCOPE.

The details of the funeral arrangements will be shared by the family once they become available.